Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-06-17 From: Xinhuanet

WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) — Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra scored second-half goals to pace the United States for a 2-1 win over Panama and advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Massachusetts on Saturday.

With the win, the defending champion Americans will play Canadaon Thursday in Chicago for a berth in the final after Canada defeated Guatemala 3-0 in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader.

In Sunday’s other quarterfinals at Houston, Honduras plays Guadaloupe and Mexico meets Costa Rica.

Blas Perez scored first for 57th-ranked Panama, the first allowed by the United States in four games in this year’s tournament.

Donovan responded in the 60th minute with a penalty kick and Bocanegra made it 2-1 in the 62nd with a header off DaMarcus Beasley’s free kick.

The United States, seeking their fourth Gold Cup title, won eight matches and remained unbeaten in nine since Bob Bradley tookover as coach from Bruce Arena.

The Gold Cup winners qualify for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.